Randy Elrod Inspired Blogs

Early on in my "new" career, I had to leave the office one day to take some pictures of comps. On the way out the door I was grumbling to myself about "wasting time." Now understand, in my present life, I only get paid when I produce an appraisal. To produce one, I need to be sitting at the computer compiling data and writing a report that is usually over a hundred pages long. Stepping outside the office means I'm not producing that report and not making any money. BUT, I wasn't very far into my journey when I was reminded about one of the perks of the job to which I was attracted. DRIVING AROUND IN THE MOUNTAINS TAKING PICTURES! What could be better? AND, of course, it is just as necessary to take those pictures as it is to be sitting at the keyboard.

Today was one of those days. Finding comps for my present assignment has been especially challenging. My subject is in Mars Hill, NC. I DID manage to dig up one comp there. But today I had to visit the county courthouse in Marshall, NC for some documents and stopped to ask the locals about additional possible comps. This was my first visit to Marshall and I fell in love with the little town. The next time you're in that "neck of the woods," stop in Zuma Coffee and have a Zuma Gold cookie with your java. You'll love it.

I think that I shall never seeA poem as lovely as a treeA tree whose hungry mouth is prestAgainst the earth's sweet flowing breast

A tree that looks at God all dayAnd lifts her leafy arms to prayA tree that may in summer wearA nest of robins in her hair

Upon whose bosom snow has lainWho intimately lives with rainPoems are made by fools like meBut only God can make a tree

-Joyce Kilmer

While returning from a wedding in Adairsville, GA, last weekend, we drove past the road leading to the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest nestled inside the larger Nantahala National Forest. What makes this 17,394 acre wilderness so special is that it is one of the very few remaining tracts of virgin hardwood in the Appalachians. So this past Saturday, even though Peggy wasn't feeling her very best, we drove to the forest and hiked the 2-mile loop trail through a grove of the forest's largest trees. Some of these tulip-poplars are as old as 450 years, more than 20 feet in circumference, and stand more than 100 feet tall.

I'm sure you remember from your grade school years that Joyce Kilmer was not only a poet, but a soldier in World War I. He bravely enlisted at the outbreak of war and was killed in France, defending our country. The VFW asked that the forest be named after him as a memorial - and a most beautiful and fitting memorial it turned out to be.

Everyone knows that Disney knows how to throw a party. Taking a cruise on a Disney Ship is no exception. My first cruise with them was as the leader of a 9/11 Memorial Service in 2002. It was a grand affair with a huge flag draped against the smokestack on center deck, the ship’s officers dressed in their whites, and a bagpiper playing “Amazing Grace” as he circled upstairs. The following year wasn’t nearly as special and that was that. They told me they could really use me Christmas and Easter but I informed them those were the two times of year I absolutely COULD NOT join them. They REALLY tempted me the following year by offering a 10-day cruise at Christmas. I almost took them up on it but my pastor told me it was a bad idea and Michael Robison took my place.

Disney became aware of my availability this year for Easter and Jennifer and Austin joined Peggy and me on a 7-day cruise to Key West, Grand Caymen, Cozumel, and of course, Castaway Cay. Our boarding was delayed by a bomb scare, but safely aboard, I contacted the Cruise Director. It was then that I discovered that I was also doing an ecumenical sunrise service with Father Norman in addition to the Protestant Service at 9:00 am. The Father and I kept missing each other Saturday night and finally met up 2 minutes before the service. He led the Responsive Reading and I led the worship and preached the message on that same center deck.

The 9:00 service was in a lounge and it was packed. Several people in the back actually danced and raised hands and it was a glorious worship service. Afterwards, several people remarked to me that it was the best use of a bar they had ever seen. So, by 10:15, we were free to enjoy the rest of the cruise.

I highly recommend you consider taking a cruise aboard the Disney Magic or Wonder. It is VERY family friendly with plenty of shows and activities for all ages. Of course, the food is outstanding as well. And if you go at Easter, you just might see the McGrews enjoying the cruise.

Have you ever heard of Cold Mountain? Of course you have. You've either read the book or seen the movie. It is just outside of Waynesville, where I'm hanging out this month. Climbing Cold Mountain is a challenge. Serious hikers only may apply. It is 5.3 miles straight up. Rocks and roots all the way. Going down? Yeah, you got it. I soloed it Wednesday. Was it worth it? Check out the photos and decide for yourself. Another intrepid hiker warned me about a meat bee nest at the peak. Honestly, I was looking for it, but never saw it. I heard the angry bees though. Only one hit me on the left elbow. At that moment I was certainly glad I decided to wear jeans instead of shorts.

I’m hanging out in Waynesville, NC right now, taking some classes in Asheville. I go to class four days and am off three. So that leaves time for adventure. I’ve already gone mountain biking twice at Tsali Recreation Area in the Nantahala Forest. (see archives). Here are some pics from a recent hike to Ivestor Gap just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The distant mountain pic is the view from the gap. You probably can’t see it, but my car is in the parking lot on the LAST ridge in the pic, about 5 miles away!